Exploring PESO vs ATEX vs IECEx: Understanding Hazardous Area Certifications

Why Hazardous Area Certifications Matter

Wherever flammable gases, vapours, mists, or combustible dusts are present, even a single spark can cause disaster. Industries like petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, mining, and food processing rely on certified explosion-protected (Ex) equipment to keep people, assets, and operations safe.

Globally, three certification regimes dominate:

• ATEX (EU Directives 2014/34/EU & 1999/92/EC)

• IECEx (International Certification Scheme under IEC 60079)

• PESO/CCoE (India’s Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation approvals)

This comprehensive guide will help you understand how each system works, how they differ, and how to stay compliant when operating in India and exporting globally.

1. What is a Hazardous Area?

A hazardous (Ex) area is any environment where an explosive atmosphere may form due to fuel + oxygen + ignition source.

Gas vs Dust

• Gas/Vapour/Mist: refineries, petrol pumps, LNG plants, paint shops.

• Dust: grain silos, cement plants, flour mills, pharmaceuticals, coal handling.

Hazardous areas are formally classified into zones.

2. Zone Classification & Signage

ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC requires employers to classify workplaces into zones and post warning signs.

Gas (G) Zones

• Zone 0 – continuously present explosive atmosphere

• Zone 1 – likely in normal operation

• Zone 2 – unlikely, and if it occurs, short duration

Dust (D) Zones

• Zone 20 – continuously present

• Zone 21 – likely in normal operation

• Zone 22 – unlikely, and if it occurs, short duration

Signage: Yellow Ex hexagon with zone number must be displayed at entry points.

3. ATEX Certification (European Union)

3.1 The Two Directives

• 2014/34/EU (ATEX 95) – for manufacturers: conformity assessment, CE marking, technical documentation.

• 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) – for employers: risk assessment, explosion protection document, worker training.

3.2 Equipment Groups & Categories

• Group I: Mining

• Group II: Surface industries

Categories map to zones:

• 1G/1D → Zone 0/20

• 2G/2D → Zone 1/21

• 3G/3D → Zone 2/22

3.3 Marking Example

• CE 0123: CE mark + Notified Body ID

• II: Group II (surface)

• 2 G: Category 2, Gas atmosphere

• Ex d: Flameproof enclosure

• IIC: Gas group (Hydrogen/Acetylene)

• T6: Max surface temp 85°C

• Gb: Equipment Protection Level (Zone 1)

3.4 Harmonised Standards

EN/IEC 60079 series covers different protection types:

• -0 (General requirements), -1 (Flameproof “d”), -7 (Increased safety “e”), -11 (Intrinsic safety “i”), -15 (Non-sparking “n”), -31 (Dust “t”), plus ISO/EN 80079-34/36/37 for QA and mechanical equipment.

3.5 Conformity Assessment

• Category 3 (Zone 2/22): self-declaration possible.

• Category 1 & 2 (Zone 0/1/20/21): require Notified Body (NB) involvement.

Notified Bodies are listed in the EU NANDO database. Many NBs are also IECEx ExCBs, allowing dual certification (saves cost/time).

3.6 QAN vs QAR

• ATEX: requires a Quality Assurance Notification (QAN) from a Notified Body.

• IECEx: requires a Quality Assessment Report (QAR).
  Both ensure factories follow ISO/EN 80079-34 for Ex manufacturing.

3.7 Warning on Unregulated Certificates

The EU Commission warns that “voluntary” certificates from non-Notified Bodies have no legal value. Always confirm ATEX certs are issued by a valid NB and markings are correct.

3.8 ATEX vs IECEx Marking Explained

One of the most common pain points for engineers and buyers is reading and comparing ATEX vs IECEx markings. While both use the IEC 60079 standard backbone, the presentation differs slightly.

Example 1 – ATEX Marking

• CE 0123: CE mark + Notified Body ID (required for production QA)

• Ex II: Equipment Group II (surface industries)

• 2 G: Category 2 (suitable for Zone 1, Gas)

• Ex d: Type of protection (flameproof enclosure)

• IIB: Gas group (ethylene, etc.)

• T4: Max surface temperature ≤ 135 °C

• Gb: Equipment Protection Level (Zone 1)

Example 2 – IECEx Marking

• IECEx: Scheme identifier

• UL: Issuing ExCB (Certification Body)

• 21.1234X: Certificate reference number (publicly searchable on iecex.com)

• Ex d IIB T4 Gb: Same meaning as ATEX (type, gas group, temp class, EPL)

Key Differences

Takeaway: If you see CE + Ex, it’s ATEX. If you see IECEx CoC reference, it’s IECEx. Both must include Ex marking string (Ex d, IIC, T6, etc.), which is globally consistent.

4. IECEx Certification (International)

IECEx is a voluntary but globally recognised scheme, based on IEC 60079 standards.

4.1 Core Certificates

• ExTR (Test Report) – product testing

• QAR (Quality Assessment Report) – factory QA

• CoC (Certificate of Conformity) – issued by ExCB (Certification Body)

All IECEx CoCs are publicly listed on iecex.com.

4.2 ExCB & ExTL

• ExCB: Certification Body authorised under IECEx

• ExTL: Testing Laboratory

India doesn’t have its own ExCB yet, but international ExCBs (DNV, TÜV, Nemko, UL, SGS) operate services for Indian exporters.

4.3 Protection Types

IECEx recognises all protection methods under IEC 60079:

• Ex d (flameproof), Ex e (increased safety), Ex i (intrinsic safety), Ex p (pressurisation), Ex m (encapsulation), Ex n (non-sparking), Ex t (dust), Ex q (powder filling), Ex o (oil immersion).
  Also non-electrical: ISO/EN 80079-36/37.

4.4 Industry Scopes

IECEx certifies diverse products, including:

• Vacuum cleaners, trace heating systems, hydrogen refuelling equipment, dust extractors, non-electrical mechanical devices.

4.5 IECEx in India

For Indian exporters, IECEx CoC + PESO approval is the winning combination. IECEx ensures global recognition, PESO ensures Indian regulatory compliance.

5. PESO / CCoE Approval (India)

5.1 Background

• PESO (Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation) regulates explosive/hazardous installations.

• Historically called CCoE (Chief Controller of Explosives), so “CCoE approval” is still common shorthand.

5.2 Rule Basis

• Governed under Petroleum Rules 2002, especially Rule 106.

• Also relevant: Gas Cylinders Rules 2016, SMPV (U) Rules 2016, Explosives Rules 2008, Ammonium Nitrate Rules 2012.

5.3 Application Workflow

1. Identify relevant rule set (Petroleum, Gas Cylinders, SMPV, Explosives).

2. Prepare dossier: ATEX/IECEx certs, drawings, manuals, BoM, QA docs.

3. Submit application + required NOCs (local Police, Factory Inspector, etc.).

4. PESO scrutiny & testing.

5. Approval/licence/endorsement issued.

6. Renewal every 3 years (or rule-specific validity).

5.4 Online Verification

PESO has an online portal to verify certificates/licences (peso.gov.in). Always confirm authenticity.

5.5 Risks of Non-Compliance

Operating without PESO approval can lead to:

• Fines & legal penalties

• Plant shutdowns

• Denial of insurance claims

• Criminal liability for accidents

5.6 How to Apply for PESO Certificate in India (Step-by-Step)

Applying for PESO approval (often called CCoE approval) requires navigating regulatory processes under the Petroleum Rules 2002 (Rule 106) and other explosives legislation. Here’s a practical walkthrough:

Step 1 – Identify Applicable Rule

• Petroleum Rules 2002 (fuel stations, petroleum storage/handling equipment)

• Gas Cylinders Rules 2016 (LPG, CNG equipment)

• SMPV (U) Rules 2016 (storage & transport of compressed gases in pressure vessels)

• Explosives Rules 2008 (detonators, fireworks, explosives)

• Ammonium Nitrate Rules 2012 (fertiliser/chemical usage)

Step 2 – Prepare Technical Dossier

• Equipment drawings & specifications

• ATEX/IECEx certificates & test reports

• Bill of Materials (BoM)

• Quality system docs (ISO 9001/ISO 80079-34)

• Instruction manuals

• Hazardous area classification & zoning details

Step 3 – Obtain Required NOCs

• Local Police No Objection Certificate

• Factory Inspector approval (safety inspection)

• Sometimes District Authorities or Fire Department clearances

Step 4 – Submit Application to PESO

• Online submission via PESO portal

• Pay application fees

• Upload all supporting docs

Step 5 – PESO Scrutiny & Inspection

• PESO engineers review technical docs

• May require lab testing in India or witness tests abroad

• Field inspection for installations (fuel stations, terminals)

Step 6 – Approval / Licence Issued

• PESO issues official approval or licence (valid typically 3 years)

• Approval letter cites Rule basis, equipment scope, and limitations

Step 7 – Renewal & Ongoing Compliance

• Renew approvals before expiry

• Maintain updated QA system

• Keep copy of certificate at site and submit for audits

Pro Tip: Always verify PESO approvals in the public search portal to avoid counterfeit/expired certificates. Non-compliance can lead to fines, shutdowns, and liability.

6. ATEX vs IECEx vs PESO: Comparison Table

7. Practical Guidance for Buyers & Exporters

For Employers/Operators

• Always verify markings match certificates.

• For India, ensure PESO approval is present in addition to ATEX/IECEx.

• Maintain Explosion Protection Document (per 1999/92/EC).

For Manufacturers/Exporters

• If targeting EU → ATEX mandatory.

• If targeting global (Asia, Middle East, Africa) → IECEx strongly preferred.

• If targeting India → PESO mandatory.

• Best practice: IECEx + ATEX + PESO coverage for full market access.

8. FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between ATEX and IECEx?
ATEX is law in the EU, IECEx is a voluntary international scheme. ATEX requires CE + Ex marking, IECEx issues a CoC listed publicly.

Q2. What is CCoE approval in India?
CCoE approval = PESO approval under Petroleum Rules (notably Rule 106). Required for equipment at fuel stations, terminals, LPG facilities.

Q3. How do QAN and QAR differ?

• ATEX requires a QAN (Notified Body audits).

• IECEx requires a QAR (ExCB audits).
  Both align with ISO/EN 80079-34.

Q4. Can I use IECEx in place of ATEX in EU?
No. IECEx is not legally recognised in EU. You must have ATEX.

Q5. How can I verify PESO approvals?
Use the official PESO portal → Public domain search → enter form type, action, and certificate number.

9. Conclusion: Choosing the Right Path

• EU projects → ATEX mandatory.

• Global projects → IECEx simplifies multi-country acceptance.

• India → PESO/CCoE approval legally mandatory.

For maximum safety and market access, smart companies pursue dual or triple certification (ATEX + IECEx + PESO).

📩 For ATEX/IECEx certified flameproof products with valid PESO approval in India, contact:
Flameproof Instrumentation | Email: sales@flameproof.co.in | Phone: +91 9321160178